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Brittleleaf Manzanita

Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea

shrub View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

very low

Soil

Fast; Prefers sand or sandstone, often over a layer of hardpan.

Size

3–8ft tall , 10–10ft wide

Bloom

Jan-Dec

Foliage

Evergreen

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Edible

Berries made into cider drink, traditional Indigenous use

Keystone Plant

Supports up to 68 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California

Native Range

Coastal chaparral and scrub of the Diablo Range and Santa Cruz Mountains from 500-2000 ft elevation, endemic to the Bay Area region.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Brittleleaf Manzanita in full sun in fast-draining soil - ideally sandy or sandy loam, especially if you have hardpan underneath. The winter or early spring rainy season is your best window for planting in the Bay Area. Space plants 4-6 feet apart if you're creating a hedge, and avoid amending heavy clay soils; this plant prefers lean, well-draining conditions and won't tolerate soggy feet.

After Planting

Water your new plant weekly through the first summer, then taper to twice monthly once established - after year two, you should rarely need to water beyond what nature provides. The #1 mistake Bay Area gardeners make is overwatering; this is a chaparral plant adapted to drought, and excess water, especially in winter, causes root rot. Minimal pruning is needed; remove only dead or crossing branches in spring after flowering ends. Once established, this evergreen shrub is remarkably low-maintenance and cold-hardy to 5°F.

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